Evelyn and Neil were married at Maui Dragon Fruit Farm in Lahaina, Hawaii on May 24. “When we knew we wanted to get married in Maui, we wanted to make sure our wedding captured the atmosphere on the island,” Evelyn said. “The Maui Dragon Fruit Farm was the perfect marriage (no pun intended) between the beauty of the ocean and the majestic landscape of the island.” The bride wore a strapless lace fit ‘n’ flare wedding gown, accessorized with her hair down in loose curls, drop dangling earrings, and a pair of sandals, while the groom wore a light gray suit, accessorized with a white button-up shirt, no tie or bow tie, and a pair of black loafers. Bridesmaids wore short floral patterned dresses and carried bouquets of peonies and dahlias in conch shells. Guests were greeted at the ceremony with lei necklaces and encouraged to soak in the views, past the fabric-draped altar, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Once the exchanging of vows were sealed with a kiss, it was official, almost 45 witnessing. Cocktail hour began with lawn games and Ululani’s flavored shaved ice. “My husband and I love ping pong, so we had a ping pong table,” she said. “We decided to play for who wins the first argument. Naturally, I won.” The reception followed shortly thereafter underneath the tent lit with paper lanterns. Tables were decorated with white linens, gold charger plates, pillar candle centerpieces surrounded by branches, and mercury glass votive candles. “For many of our guests, our wedding was the first trip to Hawaii,” Evelyn said. “Manutea Nui E provided entertainment and made our wedding feel like an intimate luau.” A three-tiered fondant-covered cake was cut and served for dessert concluding dinner. “Although we didn’t have cake toppers on the top of our cake, we had them customized for our personalities, and it added a personal touch to the decor.” The newlyweds’ best advice? “As hard as it sounds, don’t worry about all the tiny details,” she said. “Being surrounded by your closest family and friends will make the entire day so memorable. If you fret about the small stuff, you’ll miss one of the best days of your lives.” At the end of the night, they jetted off to their honeymoon.

Wedding weekend getaways are always a great time—but packing for them? Not so much. Between auxiliary events, scheduled activities, and the big day itself, you’re looking at a pretty crammed suitcase. Whether you’re heading off to your own destination wedding or simply attending as a guest, our handy list of what to pack will help get you organized. Safe travels!

Laura and Uk were married at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, in Soufriere, Saint Lucia on June 14. No doubt it was a destination. After all they did get engaged in Paris! “We were visiting Paris, where I used to work,” Laura said. “On our first night of a two-week trip, we went to dinner at the top of a museum right next to the Eiffel Tower. We went onto the rooftop deck to check out the sights, and I was taking photos. When I turned around Uk was down on one knee.” They choose a venue that was located within a tropical rainforest. “We loved the hotel, Sugar Beach, because of the beautiful architecture and design, and of course, the gorgeous beach.” The bride wore a sweetheart tulle a-line wedding gown with illusion straps, accessorized with her hair half-up/half-down in loose curls, fingertip-length veil, jeweled sash, and a pair of Betsey Johnson bow peep-toe high heels, while the groom wore a light gray suit with a white button-up shirt, accessorized with no tie. Bridesmaids wore short coral peplum dresses and carried bouquets of ginger and anthuriums. Guests were greeted with welcome bags filled with sunscreen and aloe, and bonus: a hangover kit, just in case of emergencies. Despite the rain showers, the ceremony took place on the sunset deck overlooking panoramic views of the volcanic Anse des Pitons. A steel bass band performed during the processional and recessional too. Once the exchanging of vows were sealed with a kiss, it was official! The reception followed shortly thereafter. The colonial-themed restaurant tables were decorated with white linens, floating candles in staggered vase centerpieces, and lace doily-inspired place cards at each setting. “Having our close family and friends travel all the way to celebrate us,” she said. “We even did a sunset boat cruise one night that was a blast.” The newlyweds’ best advice? “Do a rehearsal walk down the aisle,” Laura said. “We skipped that, and it caused unnecessary anxiety for me at the actual ceremony.” At the end of the night, they exited amongst a sea of wish lanterns and jetted off to their honeymoon in Sweden and Denmark.

Christine and Blaine were married at Grand Velas Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico on March 15. The bride wore a strapless sweetheart a-line wedding gown with a ruched bodice, accessorized with her hair in a curly sideswept ponytail, jeweled headband, and a pair of glitter platform pumps, while the groom wore a tan suit with a white button-up shirt, accessorized with no tie. She carried a bouquet of roses, carnations, and lillies. The bridesmaids wore high-low hemline dresses, and the groomsmen wore an orange button-up shirt and khaki pants. Fun fact: they were their kids! Guests were greeted with a wooden sign that said, “shoe valet” to encourage them to go barefoot in the sand for the ceremony at sunset. Each sat rattan chairs atop bamboo rugs as they witnessed the exchanging of vows underneath a chuppah draped with fabric. Once it was sealed with a kiss, it was official! Hugs were the first thing in order before the processional and after the recessional, of course. The reception followed shortly thereafter on the Zen Grand Pool Terrace. Tables were decorated with turquoise linens, orange napkins, and lanterns lit with candles. A salad and entree were served for dinner then a mini cake, topped with skulls, was cut for dessert. Dancing was held on an LED panel floor. And at the end of the night, some even jumped into the water!

Halona and Robert were married at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. on July 13. “The Four Seasons is very private, and they don’t have a casino inside the hotel,” Halona said. “But what made me know this was the perfect venue is there highly-rated staff and wedding coordinators. They are definitely five-star and are amazing at making sure you have the wedding of your dreams.” The bride wore a strapless tulle fit ‘n’ flare wedding gown, accessorized with her hair half-up/half-down in loose curls, fingertip-length veil, jeweled sash, and pair of Badgley Mischka peep-toe high heels, while the groom wore a black tuxedo, accessorized with a matching bow tie and vest. Bridesmaids wore long pink chiffon dresses and carried bouquets of roses and hydrangeas. “We had rehearsed in an empty room, and I had not seen my decor yet,” she said. “So, the moment when the doors opened to the ceremony and reception were beyond breathtaking and a moment I will never forget.” Aisles were lined with floating candles in glass pillars to create a romantic ambience, and a unity candle was placed at the altar in loving memory of a lost one. It said, “This light shines as a symbol of a life and love remembered.” Once the vows were sealed with a kiss, it was official! Not a single guest could resist taking a snapshot during the recessional. They found their seats via a mirror featuring assignments. Tables were decorated with rosette linens, tall candelabra centerpieces, glitter numbers, and crystal votive candles. “The food was delicious,” Halona said. Not to mention the five-tiered cake was suspended hanging from the ceiling! Extra entertainment, outside of the dance floor, was a photo booth complete with props. The newlyweds’ best advice? “Find an wedding planner that knows different venues and can see your vision miles away,” she said. “Our wedding was a destination wedding, and I read a lot of reviews before I chose Andrea Eppolito to coordinate my wedding. When I say she is great at what she does, I mean it. I was totally blown away . . . it was everything I had dreamed of and more.”